17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Candidates hold first public forum

Editor's note: This is an abbreviated version of an article that ran in the late edition Friday.
Two candidates noted that four universities are now located in the 17th District; another called for free college tuition.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
KENT -- Three of the four candidates vying for the 17th Congressional District seat discussed the issues in what they say will be the first of many public forums leading up to the November general election.
Democrat Timothy J. Ryan of Niles, Republican Ann Womer Benjamin of Aurora and Warren Davis of Bay Village, an independent candidate, discussed their views on higher education, economic development, taxes and campaign finance reform at a Friday forum at Kent State University, sponsored by the Greater Akron Chamber and the Portage County Chambers of Commerce.
Absent from the event was U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. of Poland, an independent candidate who in recent years has limited appearances at candidate forums.
Davis called for at least 15 New England-style town hall meetings between the candidates, something Ryan and Womer Benjamin said they would support if the events could be scheduled.
Great opportunity
Each candidate said the new 17th District -- which includes portions of Mahoning, Trumbull, Portage and Summit counties -- provides a unique opportunity for Northeast Ohio.
"This is the greatest opportunity for Northeast Ohio in a long time," said Ryan, a state senator, pointing to the inclusion of four universities and two regional airports in the new 17th.
Womer Benjamin, a state representative, said the grouping of the universities in one congressional district is the focal point of her economic development plan for the area.
Davis, a former longtime United Auto Workers regional director, said that if elected, he would push for a universal health care system with no co-payments or premiums, a job initiative to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, money for public schools and free college tuition for everyone.
The three agreed that campaign finance laws need to be reformed.
Davis said he is refusing any political action committee money. Womer Benjamin said she introduced an Ohio House bill calling for more disclosure of contributions to political campaigns. Ryan, who was criticized during the primary for how he handled his campaign finances, said he doesn't like the amount of money in politics and something has to change.
skolnick@vindy.com